Connecter for electric conductors



Julie 7, 1932. J, F PAGENDARM 1,862,197

CONNECTER FOR ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS Filed Feb. 6, 1929 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 7, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE JOHN F. PAGENDABM, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN WOODLITE CORPORATION, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA;

comc'rna ron ELECTRIC oonnucrons Application filed February 6, 1929. Serial No. 887,767.

to connect the wire ends or conductors to t the terminals of adjacent plugs, sockets or similar electrical fittings by winding the ends of the wires about the shanks of connecting screws and then clamping the wire ends between the screw heads and the terminals. This method has not proven entirely satisfactory, mainly because the constant Vibration causes the screws to loosen, thereby permitting the wires to become disconnected from the terminals. Also the ends of the wires frequently protrude from the terminals, thereby causing short circuiting of the device. Furthermore connecters of this character require complete removal and separation of the lamp socket or other device to which they are attached when it is necessary to connect or disconnect the wires.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of connecters of the character described; to provide a connecter which is particularly adapted for lamp sockets and like fittings and which will'not become disconnected by vibration or otherwise; to provide a connecter which is readily interchangeable for single or double wire circuits; to provide a connecter which is held in engagement with the terminal contacts by spring action, and which is yieldable and self-aligning, and further to provide a connecter which will not require dismantling of the socket or other fittings when the wires are to be connected or disconnected, or the circuit changed from a double wire circuit to a single wire circuit.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of a lamp socket, showing the wire connected thereto,

Fig. 2 is a similar section showing the manner of disconnecting and removing the terminal ends of the wires,

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line IIIIII Fig. 1,

r Fig. 4 is aperspective view of the terminal 7 ends of a pair ofwires, one wire showing the tack removed,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the tack, M

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a spreader washer,

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the retaining washer,

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the terminal end of a wire such as employed in a single wire circuit,

Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective views of the retaining washers employed in conjunction vwith the single wire circuit,

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the type of spring employed in the sockets shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

Fig. 12 is a central vertical longitudinal section of a lamp socket showing it connected with a single wire circuit.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and particularly Figs. 1, 2, 4', 5, 6 and 7, it will be noted that the invention is illustrated in connection with an electric lamp socket, indicated at A. The lamp socket is tubular or cylindrical shaped and elongated, and one end is provided with an inturned flange 2.

Opposite sides of the socket are longitudi' nally slotted as at 3 and 3, and a bayonet slot 4 of the usual construction is also provided. The conductors or wires employed, whereby the circuit to the lamp socket is made, is best illustrated .in Figs. 4 and 5. The multistrand conductor such as indicated at 7, coveredwith insulating material 8 is preferably employed. A tack 9, see Fig. 5, is inserted endwise between the strands and it is there secured by soldering or the like. The

7 head of the tack indicated at 10 serves the function of a contact member, as, will hereinafter be described.

Where a double wire circuit is employed, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a pair of cooperating washers are required. These are best illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. These washers are preferably constructed of insulating material, such as fibre or the like. The washer mdicated in Fig. 7 is provided with a cenin a contact member, an insulating washer mounted Within the housing, said wire conductor extending through the washer with the contact member projecting from one face of. the washer, means securing the washer with relation to the conductor and the contact member, means limiting movement of the washer in one direction Within the housing, a spring interposed between the washer and one end of the housing and normally retaining the washer in engagement with the limiting means, said washer being releasable with relation to the limiting means by tilting the washer and thereby permitting removal of the washer and the conductor attached thereto with relation to the housing.

2. In a device of the character described a cylindrical shaped elongated housing, said housing having a pair of longitudinally extending slots formed on opposite sides thereof, a washer mounted within the housing and having a pair of lugs formed on its peripheral edge which project into the slots of the housing, said washer being tiltable to swing, the lugs out of the slots and to permit removal of the washer, a conductor entering one end of the housing and extending through the washer, said conductor terminating in a contact member which projects from one face of the washer, retaining means detachably securing the conductor and the 'contact'men'lber with relation to the washer,

and'a resilient support within the housing surrounding the conductor and engaging the washer. A

3. In a device of the character described a washer having a central opening formed therein and a pair of lateral openings in communication therewith and of smaller diameter, a pair of wire conductors terminating in contact members, said contact members being insertablethrough the central opening of the washer and movable laterally into the communicating smaller openings, and retaining means engaging the wire conductors and securing them against lateral inward movement.

4. In a device of the character described, a cylindrical shaped elongated housing, a washer mounted within the housing, a pair of conductors entering one end of the housing and extending through the washer, said conductor terminating in contact members which project from one face of the washer, retaining means detachably securing the conductors and the contact members with relation to the washer, and a spring interposed between om,-v end of the housing and the washer, said spring terminatin -in a central cross bar which forms a resilient support for the washer and which permits tilting movement of the washer within the housing to one side or another of the cross bar.

5. In a device of the character described, a washer having an opening formed therein,

said Washer also having a second opening of smaller diameter and in communication with said first named opening, a conducting Wire terminating in a contact member, said contact member being insertible through the first named opening of the washer and movable laterally into the communicating smaller opening, and retaining means engaging the conductor and securing it against removal from said smaller opening.

6. In a'device of the character described, a washer having an elongated opening formed therein, a conductor adapted to be inserted into said opening and moved laterally with respect to the washer therein, and means at the end of the conductor for preventing endwise removal of the conductor from said opening when it has been moved laterally therein.

7. In a device of the character described, a washer having an elongated opening formed therein, a conductor adapted to be inserted into said opening and moved laterally with respect to the washer therein, means at the end of the conductor for preventing endwise removal of the conductor from said opening when it has been moved laterally therein, and a second washer so positioned with relation to the first washer as to prevent lateral movement of the conductor in said elongated open- 111g.

8. In a device of the character described a flat washer having an elongated opening formed therein, a conductor adapted to be inserted through said opening and moved laterally therein, means at the end of the conductor for preventing its endwise removal after it has been moved laterally, and a second fiat washer adjacent the first washer and engaging the conductor to prevent lateral movement in the elongated opening.

9. In a device of the character described a washer having an opening therein, said opening being elongated and smaller at one end than at the other, a conductor insertable through said opening, a contact member 011 the end of the conductor, said contact member being smaller than the large end of said opening and larger than the small end whereby lateral movement of the conductor in the opening will prevent its withdrawal therefrom. I

10. In a device of the character described a washer having an opening therein, said opening being elongated and smaller at one end than at the other, a conductor insertable through said opening, a contact member on the end of the conductor, said contact member being smaller than the large end of said opening and larger than the small end whereby lateral moyement of the conductor in the opening Wlll preventits withdrawal therefrom, and a second washerengageable with the conductor to prevent lateralmovement in the openinm JOHN F. PAGENDARM. 

